To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 5

Brian let out a small laugh.

"All these years, Father hasn't taught her how to be a proper lady—instead, he's been led around by her. You always said a man should marry a good wife. In the end, you chose the wrong one."

Gareth bristled. "Who I marry is my own choice. When your grandmother asked you to marry Elara, you were happy enough, and I never said a word against it. Nanette is my wife, and I expect you to show her some respect."

Brian raised an eyebrow. "Has she ever shown any respect to my wife?"

Gareth fell silent, his gaze darkening.

"Brian, the inheritance may have gone to you, but I'm still your father. Without me, there wouldn't be you."

Brian's eyes narrowed slightly.

Elara thought she saw his resolve waver.

Brian would never sacrifice his relationship with his father for her—not when, in the end, family is family.

A bitter smile twisted her lips as she tried to get out of bed, only to be gently pressed back by Brian.

"The doctor said you're good to be moving around?"

Elara blinked, caught off guard.

Gareth's frown deepened.

Brian said coolly, "Dad, my wife's done nothing wrong."

Elara's heart gave a faint flutter, but then reality rushed back in.

Nanette had schemed her way into the Vincent family, hoping to rise above her station by marrying Gareth and becoming the matriarch. But Grandmother had handed the inheritance directly to her grandson, leaving Nanette in an awkward, powerless position. The only way she could assert herself was by bullying Elara.

If Elara bowed to Nanette now, it would be as if the future head of the Vincent family was submitting to her—a humiliation Brian wouldn't allow. In stopping her from apologizing, he was really protecting his own dignity.

Back when she loved him, she saw everything through rose-colored glasses. Now that her infatuation had faded, reality was harsh—almost painfully so.

"Brian, this is just a trivial matter," Gareth pressed. "A simple apology could put all this behind us. There's no need to turn the house upside down over it."

His words were sharp, but Brian stood his ground.

"If you kept your wife in check, the house would be at peace."

Father and son glared at each other, tempers flaring, until the manor's butler arrived unexpectedly.

"Mr. Gareth, Mr. Vincent, Madam Felice requests that both of you return to the estate."

Now that Grandmother was involved, things were bound to spiral out of control.

Gareth opened his mouth to argue, but the butler bowed slightly to him.

"Mr. Gareth, madam has already been brought back to the estate."

"What? She's still under observation—they suspect a concussion! How could you let her leave the hospital?"

Gareth hurried out, not waiting for an answer.

They made the drive in silence.

When they reached the family estate, Gareth and Nanette were nowhere to be seen. Grandmother Felice sat alone in the living room.

She noticed Elara wearing Brian's coat, and the sharpness in her eyes softened instantly.

"Elara, come with me to the study."

Brian said nothing but prepared to follow.

Grandmother paused at the doorway. "I didn't call for you. Wait outside."

Brian smiled. "If I stay out here, she'll tattle on me later."

Dowager Felice Vincent saw right through him—he was just worried his wife would be bullied—and couldn't help but chuckle.

"Relax. No one here's going to pick on your wife except for you."

With that, the door closed, and Brian was left in the hall.

In her youth, Grandmother Felice had been a formidable woman in business. Now in her seventies, her eyes were sharp and her words even sharper.

No sooner had Elara taken a seat in the study than the old lady pushed a steaming mug of herbal tea toward her.

"You've been in the hospital with serious injuries. Brian should have been at your side—that's his failing. But men are like uncut stones. Whether they shine or not depends on the hands that shape them."